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NETWORK MAPPING AND DEVELOPMENT

"Understanding the pre-existing social relationships in a setting is vital in health promotion, not only for encouraging important people to get ‘on side’ with an intervention but also for appreciating how the intervention itself might change social structures."
Source: “Use of social network analysis to map the social relationships of staff and teachers at school.” Penelope Hawe and Laura Ghali, Health Education Research 2008 23(1):62-69; doi:10.1093/her/cyl162

What is network mapping?

Network mapping and analysis is a process for visualizing and interpreting connections within a group so that the group itself, and therefore its work and effectiveness, may be strengthened.

Network analysis can also help a group explore options for adapting to a changing environment. Connections, strengths, and weaknesses are made visible, helping answer many key questions in the collaboration community-building process:

Network mapping does not create an inventory of community assets; it assumes this has already been done. Other processes – community mapping, asset mapping, stakeholder analysis – are effective tools for that work.

How does network mapping work?

The network mapping and analysis process begins with a discussion about what the network needs or wants to know about itself. What information about each network member is important? What types of connections does the network wish to examine?

Based on answers to these questions, a survey of network members is conducted. Network analysis software is used to produce maps and numeric tables. The mapper, along with the network, analyzes the maps and tables and develops a strategy to strengthen the network and its work. Typically, after this strategy has been in action for some time, network members are surveyed again and the network is re-mapped based on their feedback, which may lead to another network-improving strategy. This process can be repeated any number of times. Over time, network analysis can help a group to demonstrate its growth, development and functional effectiveness.

What are some examples/stories?

The left-hand image below depicts a network before a months-long network improvement strategy. The right-hand image shows the same network five years after participating in Health Nexus' Connecting the Dots process. Note the significantly increased density of connections, including a stronger network.

Nicholas Christakis: How social networks predict epidemics
After mapping humans' intricate social networks, Nicholas Christakis and colleague James Fowler began investigating how this information could better our lives. Now, he reveals his hot-off-the-press findings: These networks can be used to detect epidemics earlier than ever, from the spread of innovative ideas.

Discussion groups

SOCNET listserv
Social networks email discussion list. Run out of the University of Florida.